Phil Jackson can run the New York Knicks if he wants to. That is the word on the street this morning, although he will NOT become their next head coach. For insight into the reasons why, check out this column from Charley Rosen.
But if he accepts the job, he is going to have his work cutout for him. Although the Knicks have won three straight games and are still in contention for a playoff spot in the East, they still qualify as the most disappointing team in the entire NBA for the 2013-14 season.
And moving forward, the cupboard is bare. The Knicks have traded away their first-round draft picks in 2014 and 2016, along with all of their second-round picks from 2014-17. If Jackson is going to come aboard and make changes, his first order of business will be to keep one thing the same — convincing Carmelo Anthony to remain in New York after he opts out of the final year of his contract.
RELATED: New York Knicks salary cap analysis
If New York is going to make a splash in free agency, it won’t happen for more than a year. That’s when the contracts of Tyson Chandler and Andrea Bargnani come off the cap.
But a hiring of Jackson could tip the balance in New York’s favor this summer when Anthony will be courted by the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, among others. More on the Jackson possibility in this podcast with Jody MacDonald of CBSSportsRadio:
I heard your interview live yesterday evening on CBS. At first I thought I was listening to Frank Isola, with your knowledge of situation.
My question is why would Phil Jackson decide at this time to become President of Basketball Operations without being assured that Melo would re-sign? He would be doomed to fail if Melo didn’t re-sign, since Knicks would still be over the salary cap next year with no options. And if Knicks didn’t already have a star on the team, what reason would there be another star like Love to come the following year (Knicks could be worst team in NBA next year if Melo didn’t re-sign).
A couple of oversights – I didn’t hear you mention that Amare would come off the books in summer of 2015 (It may be hard to trade him at next year’s trade deadline).
Also, Jody (who called you Phil) seemed to have the wrong impression about Knicks having the ability to go over the salary cap this summer by signing a free agent and then Melo last. Knicks would still be over the salary cap without Melo’s salary, but even worse is that they would be over the Luxury Tax (unless Melo outright went to another team in free agency), because he has a $22.5 million cap hold, which is more than he would get in the 1st year of a new contract. Therefore there is no reason to delay on signing him ASAP this summer. The only new blood Knicks can bring in is with the mini-MLE.
It is a shamed that so many in the media, like Jody, don’t understand the new limits of the CBA.
Knicks CAN still S&T him to a team like Houston, who could offer Lin, Asik and a 1st round pick. Bulls could offer Boozer, Dunleavy and a 1st round pick, but given the uncertainy with Rose, I think Houston would have a better chance – besides the nice winter weather.
All Melo has to do is to threaten to go to Lakers (or maybe Phoenix) and Dolan may be forced to accept the best S&T for Melo.
Also, why wouldn’t another better team come in and offer the Basketball Operations job to Jackson. Although Phil may like the New York name, he clearly wouldn’t like living in NY (prefers a West Coast atmosphere). Also, not sure if Dolan would agree to allow Phil to live elsewhere while holding the job. His first move would likely be to fire the current President!
We shall see. I don’t think Jax is stupid. He should wait.